Converting between rotary and linear motion, and a sawing device

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for converting between rotary motion and linear motion includes a rotatable piece being rotatable about an axis; at least one member having a linking surface facing the rotatable piece and arranged for movement relative to the axis of the piece; and a means for linking the linking surface of the respective member and the surface of the rotatable piece, so that rotational motion of the rotatable piece causes linear movement of the at least one member, and/or linear movement of the at least one member causes rotational motion of the rotatable piece. A sawing device may include said apparatus for cutting by repetitive reciprocating cutting action. A saw blade may be configured for such a sawing device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to apparatus for converting rotary motion to linear motion and/or linear motion to rotary motion. The invention also relates to a sawing device for cutting by repetitive reciprocating cutting action of at least one saw blade on a surface of an object to be cut. The invention also relates to a method of replacing a blade in a sawing device, apparatus for a saw blade, and to a saw blade.

BACKGROUND

Plasterboard, also known as drywall, gypsum board or wallboard, is a panel made of gypsum plaster pressed between two thick sheets of paper. Plasterboard panels are typically mounted on structural members to make interior walls and ceilings of buildings. It is sometimes necessary, particularly when a building is erected, to cut openings in plasterboard to provide access to electrical switch and outlet boxes mounted on the structural members. An opening may be cut before the plasterboard is mounted on the structural members, or it may be necessary to cut the opening while the plasterboard is in situ mounted on the structural members.

The usual process of cutting openings comprises firstly marking on the plasterboard where the opening is to be cut. Then, a workman cuts the opening using a saw. The opening typically has rough edges. This process is time consuming, typically taking a practised workman 15 to 30 minutes. The process is also error prone and typically makes a mess. Also, the saw can extend beyond the plasterboard to make contact with an object on the far side of the plasterboard from the workman. This can cause damage to the object. Since there may be electrical wiring, this also presents danger to the workman.

A known document, U.S. Pat. No. 3,503,294, describes a sawing apparatus. This sawing apparatus includes a crank member that is coupled to a rotational power source. Sawing action of four blades is driven by eccentric movement of the crank member. The sawing apparatus is unstable in use, which may lead to a user applying different blades to an object to be cut at different pressures. This may disadvantageously lead to the object being cut more quickly in some regions than in others. In addition, the eccentric motion of the crank causes vibration of the device. The issues of instability and vibration make the apparatus difficult and unpleasant to use, and may lead to unsatisfactory and inaccurate cutting.

It is an object of the present invention to address these issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for converting rotary motion to linear motion and/or linear motion to rotary motion, comprising: a rotatable piece having a surface, the piece being rotatable about an axis thereof; at least one member having a linking surface facing the surface of the rotatable piece and arranged for restricted movement at least in part laterally relative to the axis of the piece; and located between the surface of the rotatable piece and the or each reciprocating member, means for linking the linking surface of the respective member and the surface of the rotatable piece, wherein the means for linking, the surface of the rotatable piece and the linking surface are configured to cooperate so that rotational motion of the rotatable piece causes linear movement of the at least one member, and/or linear movement of the at least one member causes rotational motion of the rotatable piece.

As will be clear from the following disclosure, although the inventor set out to devise an improved sawing device, he devised a new way to convert between linear and rotary motion. The number of parts required is small, the apparatus can be easily and inexpensively manufactured, and the transmission efficiency is high.

There is also provided a sawing device for cutting by repetitive reciprocating cutting action of at least one blade on a surface of an object to be cut, the sawing device comprising: the apparatus described above; a rotary drive shaft engaged with the rotatable piece to cause rotation thereof; and at least one blade coupled to the or each member lengthwise with the direction of linear movement of the member; wherein the apparatus is arranged to convert rotational motion of the rotary drive shaft to repetitive reciprocal movements of the or each member, which causes corresponding movement of the at least one blade.

The drawbacks to the sawing apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,503,294 are thus addressed. Even pressure can easily be applied by each blade to an object to be cut. The sawing device is stable to use, in particular since the conversion of rotary motion to reciprocating motion is achieved in a smooth, continuous process.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sawing device for cutting by repetitive reciprocating cutting action of at least one saw blade on a surface of an object to be cut, the sawing device including a rotary drive shaft and means for converting rotational motion of the rotary drive shaft to repetitive reciprocal movements for imparting to the at least one blade, wherein the axis of the rotary drive shaft extends in or in the direction of the vicinity of the centre of mass of the sawing device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, apparatus for a sawing device, comprising: a support means having a slot therethrough; and a blade carrying means arranged on said support means, wherein the support means permits reciprocating movement of the blade carrying means, wherein the blade carrying means is arranged to attach to and carry a blade and transmit a corresponding reciprocating action to the blade through the slot.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a saw blade for attaching to a sawing device mentioned above, the blade comprising a body having a cutting edge and a first attaching means for engaging with a corresponding second attaching means of a blade carrying means of the sawing device.

Such a saw blade enables a user of the sawing device to quickly and conveniently replace a blade, while also resulting in the blade being held very securely. Such an arrangement is particularly convenient over saw blade attachment arrangements in which a blade must be attached manually at both its ends to blade holders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For better understanding of the present invention, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded underside perspective view of a sawing device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the saw device according to the first embodiment in a partially assembled form, with an outer housing absent;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sawing device according to the first embodiment, without inner or outer housing; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of parts of the sawing device, including a rotatable cylindrical block;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mounting plate for the sawing device, together with a mount for the cylindrical block shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of a part of a blade carrying part of the sawing device for use in attaching the saw blade shown in FIG. 7 to the rest of the sawing device;

FIG. 7 is a perspective front view of a saw blade for use in the sawing device;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of parts of a sawing device in accordance with a variant embodiment, including a blade carrying part and a blade;

FIG. 9 is a view of a mounting plate for use with the parts shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the sawing device o the variant embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a view of a disc for use in another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Like parts are denoted by like reference numerals throughout.

By way of general overview of some embodiments, the sawing device described includes a rotary to linear motion converting arrangement. The application of the converting arrangement is not limited to use in the sawing device; there are many applications for such converting arrangements. Also, the converting arrangement may be used to convert linear motion to rotary motion, as well as rotary motion to linear motion.

Generally, the sawing device is suitable for cutting a predetermined shape by simultaneous repetitive reciprocating cutting action of four blades. The four saw blades are relatively disposed for simultaneous engagement of a surface of an object such as plasterboard to be cut. Preferably the surface is a substantially flat surface. The sawing device includes a rotary drive shaft and the motion converting arrangement for converting rotational motion of the rotary drive shaft to repetitive reciprocal movements of the blades. In some embodiments, the central axis of the rotary drive shaft extends through or in the vicinity of the centre of mass of the sawing device.

Referring to FIG. 1, the sawing device comprises blades 10 a-f, a rotary drive shaft 12 a, 12 b, an inner housing 14, an outer housing 16, a blade carrying parts 18 a-d carrying each blade 10 a-f, and a motion converting arrangement, which will be described in greater detail below and is largely hidden in FIG. 1, but includes a support means in the form of a mounting plate 20.

In FIG. 1 (and also in FIG. 3), the sawing device is shown with six blades 10 a-f to illustrate how the blades can be fitted. In use, four blades would be mounted in a generally square or rectangular formation to enable cutting of a corresponding shape.

The inner housing 14 and the outer housing 16 each has a centrally located aperture through which the rotary drive shaft 12 a, 12 b extends when the sawing device is assembled. The outer housing 16 includes a flange 16 a extending outwardly in a plane parallel to a plane of the edges of the blades 10 a-f. The flange 16 a is for pressing against a surface to be cut to limit depth of cutting. The flange 16 a also serves to steady the device when cutting.

The outer housing 16 has a spirit level 22 mounted on it running parallel to the flange 16 a. The spirit level 22 facilitates location of the sawing device so that a shape in a desired orientation can be cut in an at least partially vertical surface. The desired orientation would normally be such that edges of the shape are parallel or orthogonal to the ground.

The inner housing 14 has four grooves 22 a-d therein in a generally square formation. When assembled, the inner housing 14 fits over the mounting plate 20 with the rotary shaft 12 a, 12 b extending through the aperture in the inner housing 14, as shown in FIG. 2, so as to enclose the motion converting arrangement (not shown in FIG. 2) and blade carrying parts 18 a-d. The inner housing 14 attaches to the mounting plate 20 to substantially prevent relative movement. Various ways of attaching the inner housing 14 and the mounting plate 20 will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, for example by use of screws and suitably threaded apertures. When assembled, the outer housing 16 fits over the inner housing 14.

A means for biasing (not shown) the inner housing 14 into the outer housing 16 is located between the inner and outer housings 14, 16. Thus, since the mounting plate 20 is fixedly disposed relative to the inner housing 14, the biasing means causes the blades 10 a-f to retract into the outer housing 16 when not in use. A stopper means (not shown) is also provided to limit the maximum extent that the mounting plate 20 and thus the blades can extend from the outer housing 16. The stopper means, in conjunction with the flange 16 a, limits the depth to which an object can be cut.

Each blade 10 a-f is a saw blade having a serrated cutting edge for cutting an object to which the cutting edge is applied when the blade 10 a-f is engaged in a longitudinally directed, repetitive reciprocating motion. The blades may be formed of metal. Each blade 10 a-d includes a first attachment means for engaging the blade to an associated blade carrying part 18 a-d, which has a corresponding second attachment for engaging with the first attachment means. Exemplary first and second attachment means are described in detail below.

Referring also to FIG. 3, the motion converting arrangement includes a cylindrical block 24 mounted on the mounting plate 20, a flanged bushing 23, the mounting plate 20, four reciprocating walls 26 a-d each mounted on the mounting plate 20, and, for each reciprocating wall 26-d, a linking means in the form of a ball bearing for transferring force from the cylindrical block 24 to the reciprocating walls 26 a-d.

Each reciprocating wall 26 a-d is joined to or formed with or attached or otherwise coupled to a respective one of the blade carrying parts 18 a-d so that a movement of each reciprocating wall 26-d is transmitted to the corresponding blade carrying part 18 a-d.

The rotary drive shaft 12 a, 12 b has two different diameters. A first end 12 a of the rotary drive shaft 12 a, 12 b is for engagement with a rotary power source (not shown), for example a drill motor, and has a diameter and cross-section suitable for engagement by the rotary power source. A second end 12 b of the rotary drive shaft 12 of larger diameter than the first end 12 a extends into the cylindrical block 24 and engages with the cylindrical block 24 in a conventional manner, such that rotation of the rotary drive shaft 12 drives rotation of the cylindrical block 24 about the axis of the cylindrical block 24.

As also shown in FIG. 4A and 4B, the cylindrical block 24 has a cylindrical surface 24 a having a continuous non-linear groove or channel 28 extending in a regular zigzag manner circumferentially around the cylindrical surface 20 a. The groove has four peaks and four troughs. The groove 28 is shaped to carry a ball bearing 30 a, 30 d for each reciprocating wall 26 a-d (ball bearings are indicated at 30 a and 30 d in FIG. 4B and are absent in FIG. 4A; ball bearings 30 b and 30 c are hidden in FIG. 4B) such that the ball bearings 30 a-d do not slip from the groove 28. In alternative embodiments, the groove 28 may have a different number of peaks and troughs, which changes the ratio of rotations to repetitive movements of the walls 26 a-d.

The cylindrical block 24 has a cylindrical recess 25 in its base extending coaxially with the axis of the cylindrical block 24, to enable mounting of the cylindrical block 24.

The flanged bushing 19 is tight fitted against the inner housing 14, when the sawing device is assembled. Bearings are preferably located between the flanged bushing 19 and the cylindrical block to reduce friction.

Referring to FIG. 5, the mounting plate 20 is rectangular having two long edges 32 a, 32 b and two shorter edges 32 a, 32 b. The mounting plate 20 has a square groove 34 a-d therein. The groove 34 a-d extends to approximately a depth of half of the thickness of the mounting plate 20. Two groove portions 34 a, 34 b of the square groove 34 a-d are parallel to the two long edges 32 a, 32 b and the other two groove portions 34 c, 34 d of the square groove 34 a-d are parallel to the two shorter edges 32 c, 32 d. The distance between each of the two groove portions 34 a, 34 b of the square and a respective closest one of the two long edges 32 a, 32 b is the same. The distance between each of the two other groove portions 34 c, 34 d of the square aperture and a respective closest one of the two shorter edges 32 c, 32 d is also the same.

The mounting plate 20 has six slots 36 a-f located therethrough, via which each blade carrying member 18 a-d and associated blades 10 a-f engage. Four of the six are respectively located adjacent and parallel to a respective groove portions 34 a-d of the square groove 34 a-d. Two of the six are respectively located adjacent and parallel to the two shorter edges 32 c and 32 d of the mounting plate 20. The slots 36 a-f are located so that blades 10 a-f are carried in positions so that a square or rectangular cut-out can be produced by simultaneous cutting action of the blades. The blades 10 a, 10 b extend and cut longitudinally with the slots.

The mounting plate 20 has a mount for the cylindrical block 24 in the form of a cylindrical pin 39. When the sawing device is assembled, the cylindrical pin 39 extends into the recess in the cylindrical block 24 such that the cylindrical block 24 and the pin 39 are coaxial. An annular bearing piece may be located between the surface of the recess and the pin 39 to reduce friction. The cylindrical block 24 is thus mounted to spin on the cylindrical pin.

Returning to FIG. 3, reciprocating wall 26 a-d has an L-shaped sliding portion 42 a-d, which sits in the square groove 34 a-d and is able to slide therein. Each reciprocating wall 26 a-d is thus configured to engage with a respective one of the grooves 22 a-d in the inner housing 14 so as to allow sliding movement of the reciprocating wall, but to prevent movement in other directions. The sliding movement is approximately tangential to the cylindrical block 20. To facilitate sliding movement in the grooves 22 a-d, an upper surface of each reciprocating wall 26 a-d has an elongate recess therein in which a plurality of ball bearing 55 a-d are located. When the inner housing 14 is located over the mounting plate 20 so as to enclose the reciprocating walls 26 a-d, the ball bearings protrude into the grooves 22 a-d in the inner housing 14, such that the reciprocating walls 26 a-d can slide between the grooves 22 a-d and groove portions 34 a-d in a low friction manner.

Each reciprocating wall 26 a-d has a linking surface 44 a-d facing the cylindrical block 24. Each linking surface 44 a-d has a respective force transmission groove 46 a-d therein extending diagonally in the linking surface, that is, neither in a direction completely parallel to the direction of sliding movement with respect to the sliding surface nor in a direction completely perpendicular to the direction of sliding movement.

The surface 24 a of the cylindrical block 24 and each wall 26 a-d are spaced such that the respective ball bearing 30 a, 30 b engages in the respective force transmission groove 46 a-d. The channel 28 and each force transmission groove 46 a-d are arranged, together with the respective ball bearing 30 a, 30 b, to cooperate so that rotation of the cylindrical block 20 causes the ball bearing to run back and forth in the force transmission groove, which requires the respective reciprocating wall 26 a-d to slide back and forth along the respective groove portion 34 a-d.

The blade carrying parts 18 a-d comprise two first blade carrying parts 18 a, 18 b and two second blade carrying parts 18 c, 18 d. The first blade carrying parts 18 a, 18 b are each configured to attach to a respective blade 10 a, 10 b through a respective associated one of the slots 36 a, 36 b between the square groove 34 a-d and a one of the longer edges of the mounting plate 20. The first blade carrying parts 18 a, 18 b are each attached to a respective adjacent reciprocating wall 26 a, 26 b, such that reciprocating movement of the walls 26 a, 26 b causes corresponding reciprocating movement of the respective blade carrying part 18 a, 18 b and thus the associated blade 10 a, 10 b.

The first blade carrying parts 18 a, 18 b are each in the form of attachment means comprising a plate attached to a surface of the associated reciprocating wall 26 a, 26 b at a first end thereof with screws, for example. The plate extends through the associated slot 36 a-d, engaging with the blade 10 a, 10 b that it carries. The plate and the manner of engagement with the blade that each plate carries will be described in greater detail below.

The second blade carrying parts 18 c, 18 d are each capable of carrying two blades, although only one blade is carried at any one time. Each of the second blade carrying parts 18 c, 18 d attaches to a respective blade 10 c-f through a slot 36 c-f in the mounting plate 20. The second blade carrying parts 18 c, 18 d include a sliding plate 17 a, 17 b extending from the associated reciprocating wall 26 c, 26 d over the mounting plate 20 to the slots 36 c, 36 d adjacent the short edges of the mounting plate 20. The sliding plate 17 a, 17 b is joined to the associated reciprocating wall 26 c, 26 d, such that movement of the wall 26 c, 26 d causes corresponding sliding movement of the sliding plate on the mounting plate 20.

Each sliding plate 17 a, 17 b has a pair of slits 43 a-d therein aligning with a respective one of the slots 36 c-f so that an attachment means of the second blade carrying part 16 c, 16 d can attach to the blade 10 c-f that it carries. The attachment means in the same form as the attachment means of the first blade carrying parts 18 a, 18 b. The attachment means that extends through the slit 43 d and slot 36 d adjacent the groove portion 34 d is attached at one end thereof to a respective reciprocating wall 26 d and extends through the slit and slot for engagement with a blade. The attachment means of the second blade carrying means 26 c, which extends through the slit 43 c and slot 36 c, is attached and extends in an analogous way.

Each second blade carrying means 16 c, 16 d also includes a wall (not shown) extending perpendicularly from the sliding plate 17 a, 17 b adjacent the shorter edges 32 c, 32 d of the mounting plate 20. Attachment means (not shown) in the same form as the attachment means of the first blade carrying parts 16 a, 16 b is attached at a first end to the wall and extends through a one of the slits 43 e, 43 f and corresponding slots 36 e, 36 f for engaging and carrying a blade.

In the present embodiment, each sliding plate 17 a, 17 b, the respective reciprocating walls 26 a-d and the sliding portion 42 a-d are formed of a single piece. In alternative embodiments, the reciprocating wall 26 c, 26 d can be separate from the corresponding blade carrying part 16 a-d, but coupled to transfer repetitive reciprocating motion thereto, so as to impart such motion to the four of the blades 10 a-f that are attached.

Referring to FIG. 6, each attachment means, indicated at 49, is for engaging with a blade and comprises a plate, as already mentioned. The plate is attached to one of the reciprocating walls 26 a-d, or the other wall extending perpendicularly from the sliding plate, at a first end thereof, and forms an arm for extending through a one of the slots 36 a-f, and where appropriate one of the slits 43 c-f. The arm ends in a bulbous portion 49 a in the shape of a dovetail or the like.

Referring to FIG. 7, each blade 10 a-d has blade attachment means in the form of a recessed region 52 and a pair of parallel limbs 51 a, 51 b leading from the recessed region 52. The shape of the region between the limbs 51 a, 51 b together with the recessed region 52 is the same shape as that of the arm 49. The limbs 51 a, 51 b can be inserted in the associated slot over the arm 49 and the arm 49 flexed to allow this, until the end 49 a of the arm snap-fits into the recessed region. In this position the attachment means 49 and the blade are attached. The parallel limbs 51 a, 51 b and the arm are respectively shaped so respective adjacent edges fit flush. This prevents movement of the blades 10 a-d relative to the blade carrying part 16 a-d.

Each of the blades 10 a-10 d is arranged having respective first and second ends, the first end of each blade lying adjacent to the second end of the blade displaced next to it. Reciprocating movement of the reciprocating wall 26 a-d causes the blade carried by the respective attached blade carrying part 16 c-d to move in a repetitive reciprocating motion, thereby to cause the blade to move in a repetitive reciprocating motion.

Each blade 10 a-d is held in a fixed position by the blade carrying part, such that they simultaneously engage a surface of an object to be sawed. The slots 36 a-f are sized to allow reciprocating movement of the corresponding plate 40 a-d.

Typically it is desired to cut a rectangular opening of a particular size, for example in plasterboard to allow electrical wiring for a double plug socket to pass. Blades 10 a-d enable this. However, it is also often desired to cut a square opening of a particular size, for example in plasterboard to allow electrical wiring for a single plug socket to pass. The longer blades 10 a, 10 b can be replaced with blades of the same size as the blades 10 c, 10 d and the blades 10 c and 10 d removed and replaced with blades 10 e and 10 f to enable this.

Each of the blade carrying parts 18 a-d, the reciprocating plates 40 a-d and the projections 42 a-d have dimensions permitting reciprocating motion without collision with an adjacent part.

In operation, the rotary drive shaft 12 a, 12 b rotates about its central axis. Since each ball bearing 30 a, 30 b is restricted in movement by the respective force transmission groove 46 a-d, each ball bearing 30 a-30 d can move only in the groove. Thus rotation of the rotary drive shaft 12 a, 12 b causes oscillatory movement of the ball bearing 30 a, 30 b parallel to the axis of the drive shaft 12 a, 12 b in the groove 28. In order for such movement to occur, the ball bearing 30 a, 30 b must move a same distance in the respective force transmission groove 46 a-d. This movement imparts repetitive reciprocating movement to the reciprocating wall 26 a-d, wherein the sliding portion 42 a-d moves in a side of the square groove 34 a-d. The reciprocating walls 26 a-d move laterally and approximately tangentially relative to the axis of the cylindrical block 24. Such movement of the reciprocating wall 26 a-d causes corresponding movement of the blade carrying member 18 a-d, which in turn causes corresponding movement of the respective blade 10 a-d. The movement of the reciprocating walls 26 a-d is such that the second end of each blade approaches the first end of each blade, and the first end of each blade approaches the second end of each blade in an alternating sequence.

The sawing device is preferably configured such that the path of each blade substantially meets the path of the respective adjacent blade to form a notional apex. Thus, a portion of an object can be cut out. Notably, if the length of the blades is such that the respective paths do not quite meet, the portion of an object can still be pushed out. Preferably the paths of the blades are such that they substantially meet, that is, they at least come sufficiently close to enable a cut shape to be pushed or tapped out of a cut object. Also, if the path of a blade extends to cross the path of an adjacent blade, this is acceptable since a portion of an object will still be able to be cut out. Thus the paths of the ends of each blade may overlap the path of the ends of next adjacent blades, but not such that reciprocating movement of an adjacent blade is impeded.

A saw blade may be replaced by flexing the arm 49 to allow release of the blade 10 a-f. A new saw blade may be inserted by flexing the arm 49 and sliding the limbs of the blade attachment means over the arm until the arm 49 and the limbs engage.

Several parts in the sawing device slide over one another at high speed. Suitable lubricant is provided between such parts, as will be apparent to the skilled person.

In a variant embodiment, the blades 10 a-f, the wall 26 a-d, the blade carrying parts 18 a-d differ to those described above, as indicated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. The blade carrying part is partly formed in the back of the wall 26 a-d, in that the wall is recessed to receive the arm 49, and the limbs 51 a, 51 b of the blade 10. The arm 49, as mentioned above, has a bulbous end 49 a, and the other end thereof forms a hammerhead 50. A first part of the recess in the wall 26 is shaped to receive the hammerhead 50. The recess is also shaped to include a neck through which the rest of the arm 49 depends. The arm 49 extends through the neck into a larger part of the recess, which is also shaped to receive the limbs 51 a, 51 b. The larger part of the recess has two depths, arranged such that the arm 49 can be pushed deeper than the limbs 51 a, 51 b. The limbs 51 a, 51 b can gain entry to the larger party of the recess when the arm is depressed. When the arm 49 is released, the arm 49 engages between the limbs 51 a, 51 b, including the bulbous part 49 a of the arm engaging into the recess 52 from which the limbs extend. As can be understood from FIG. 8, an outer surface of the arm and limbs 51 a, 51 b, and the wall 26 are coplanar when the blade is secured in the attachment means.

A cover plate 53 attaches to the back of the wall 26 by means of screws through holes 56 in the cover plate 53, although other means of attaching the cover plate are suitable. The blade 10 can be attached and detached while the cover plate 53 is in place, but depressing the arm 49 can be depressed by pressing through an aperture 54 in the cover plate 53.

Referring also to FIG. 9, the mounting plate and wall 26 is modified to retain ball bearings 56 between them. In this case, the mounting plate includes grooves 59 a-d in place of a previously mentioned square groove in which the ball bearings 56 move in a reciprocating linear motion. The wall 26 does not include a sliding portion 42.

As can be seen in FIG. 10, in this variant embodiment the sawing device includes a sleeve 61 located around the cylindrical block. The sleeve 61 has four elongate slots therein. The slots are sized and located such that a ball bearing can move in each of the slots. The sleeve 61 thereby guides movement of the ball bearings 30 a-d.

Four bolts and bolt sleeves are also shown in FIG. 10, which attach the inner housing 14 to the mounting 20.

The variant embodiment operates in a similar manner to that already described. To replace a saw blade, the arm 49 is flexed by putting a pointed object through the aperture 54 of the cover plate 53.

In other embodiments, rotational motion of a shaft may be converted to linear repetitive reciprocating movement, or vice versa, using the same principle of two parts (wall and block) having facing surfaces, each surface having a groove therein and a ball bearing part located in each groove, wherein the grooves and the ball bearing are configured to cooperate to impart force from one groove to another. However in such other embodiments, the block is not cylindrical. For example the block may be frusto-conical. The block may be any shape in which the radial distance of the groove from a central axis is constant. The shape of the wall 26 a-d may be modified so that the groove therein is a constant distance from the groove of the block. In embodiments, the grooves may not be spaced by a constant distance and the ball bearing may be out of the groove in the wall for a part of its oscillation.

In another embodiment, instead of a cylindrical block, a disc including a circular or annular surface is provided. The disc has a continuous groove therein extending in an oscillatory manner in a loop on a surface thereof Referring to FIG. 11, the circular disc 60 can be attached to a rotatable shaft (not shown) by engagement in an aperture 62 through the disc 60. The rotatable shaft is attached so that, when the shaft rotates, the disc rotates about its centre in a planar manner, the shaft having an axis normal to the plane of the disc. The disc 60 has a groove 64 therein extending continuously around the axis between the aperture 60 and an edge 64 of the disc 60. In an arrangement for converting rotational motion to linear motion, the disc is mounted on the rotatable drive shaft and the shaft is mounted on a support such that the disc can rotate. A wall, like the wall 26 described above is also mounted on the support, the support and the wall are configured so that movement of the wall is restricted to movement in a linear, reciprocating repetitive manner in a direction lateral to the axis of the rotatable shaft. A surface of the wall has a groove therein, located diagonal in relation to the direction of movement of the wall, and which faces the groove 64 of the disc 60 and is close thereto. A ball bearing is part located in both grooves to enable transmission of force.

In operation, rotation of the disc causes linear reciprocating movement of the wall in a manner similar to that described above. The ball bearing is caused to oscillate back and forth in a substantially radial direction on the disc due to the restricted ability of the wall to move. This oscillating movement causes the wall to move at least partly laterally relative to the axis and in a direction spaced from the plane of the disc. The arrangement including the disc may be included in a sawing device, whereby rotational movement of a drive shaft is converted to linear repetitive reciprocating movement of saw blades.

As well as enabling converting of rotary to linear motion, the arrangement may, additionally or alternatively, be used to convert linear motion to rotary motion of the shaft.

It will be understood by the skilled person that various modifications are possible to the embodiments described above.

The shape to be cut out of an object, for example a plasterboard, can be predetermined to be other than a rectangle or a square. For example, the sawing device can be modified to carry three, five or six, seven or eight blades, or a greater number, with a corresponding number of blade carrying parts, to enable a triangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon or octagon to be cut out. Other shapes could be cut out with a previously mentioned number of blades, for example the sawing device could be configured for cutting of a rhombus with four blades. With respect to use of the word rectangular in the claims, it should be understood that the term “square” is a special case of a “rectangle”.

The device may also have just two blades, preferably of the same length and spaced in a parallel manner by a distance equal to their length. This could be used to achieve cutting of a square or rectangle, and would advantageously mean that the device could have fewer parts.

Also, the blade carrying parts might be mounted on the mounting plate such that the motion converting arrangement causes reciprocating motion back and forth on a curved path. Thus, the sawing device can be configured such that, with curved blades, circular holes could be cut.

In a modification, the sawing device can be modified so that one linking means, for example in the form of one ball bearing, causes reciprocating motion of more than one blade.

In alternative embodiments, the number of peaks and the number of troughs can each be equal to or a multiple of the number of blades, so that when a first end of one blade moves towards a second end of an adjacent blade, the second end of the adjacent blade moves away from the first end of the one blade.

The linking means described above linking the bearing surface 24 a of the cylindrical block 24 and the linking surface of the reciprocating wall 26 a-d is a ball bearing which runs in grooves in the bearing surface and the linking surface, but other ways of linking the cylindrical block and the blade carrying parts 18 a-d are possible. For example, a rail and runner arrangement may alternatively be used.

In modifications, the non-linear groove may not be of a zigzag form, but another kind of oscillation. The precise kind of oscillation can be optimised for best cutting action.

Various ways of adapting the blades and the blade carrying means so that the blades are fixedly held relative thereto are possible. For example, pairs of aligned slits and aligned slots may be present where single slits 36 and slots 43 are provided in the embodiments described above. The blades may be adapted to attach to attachment means of the sawing device via the pairs of slits and slots in any kind of snap-fit manner.

The sawing device described above is described as a device for cutting plasterboard. It will be appreciated by the skilled person that the sawing device could be applied to cut the surface of objects other than plasterboard. For example, the sawing device can be used to cut various kinds of sheet material, such as sheets or panels of wood, such as plywood or chipboards, plastic panels or conduits.

The sawing device may be provided with an elongate member attached or attachable to the outer housing 16. The member is of a predetermined or adjustable length, and can be positioned to enable the height from the ground of a cut-out in a wall or largely vertical wall or panel to be predetermined.

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the present invention may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. 

1. Apparatus for converting rotary motion to linear motion or linear motion to rotary motion, comprising: a rotatable piece having a surface, the piece being rotatable about a central axis thereof and the surface having a first cooperating portion therein or thereon; at least one member having a linking surface facing the surface of the rotatable piece and arranged for restricted movement at least in part laterally relative to the central axis of the piece; and located between the surface of the rotatable piece and the or each member, a link configured to link the surface of the member and the surface of the rotatable piece, wherein the linking surface of the or each member has a second cooperating portion extending diagonally thereon or therein relative to the direction of movement of the member, and wherein the link links the first cooperating portion to the second cooperating portion; wherein the link, the first cooperating portion and the second cooperating portion are configured to cooperate so that rotational motion of the rotatable piece causes repetitive reciprocating movement of the at least one member, or repetitive reciprocating movement of the at least one member causes rotational motion of the rotatable piece.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the repetitive reciprocating movement of the or each member is repetitive reciprocating linear movement.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piece is mounted on a support so as to allow rotation of the piece about the central axis, and wherein the at least one member is also mounted on the support, the support being configured to restrict the movement of the or each member to a linear path which is at least in part lateral relative to the central axis of the piece.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first cooperating portion is a non-linear continuous first groove, the second cooperating portion is a second groove, and the link comprises a bearing located partially in the first and second grooves.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the linking surface and the surface of the rotatable piece are respectively spaced to retain said bearing in said first and second grooves.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first cooperating portion extends circumferentially around the central axis of the piece, wherein the radial distance of the first cooperating portion from the central axis is constant.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotatable piece is substantially cylindrical, and wherein said surface of the piece is the circumferential surface of the substantially cylindrical piece.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the restricted movement is approximately tangential to the circumferential surface or is in a plane parallel to a plane tangential to the circumferential surface.
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. A sawing device for cutting by repetitive reciprocating cutting action of at least one blade on a surface of an object to be cut, the sawing device comprising: the apparatus of claim 1; a rotary drive shaft engaged with the rotatable piece to cause rotation thereof about the central axis of the rotatable piece; and wherein at least one blade can be coupled to the or each member lengthwise with the direction of movement of the member; wherein the apparatus is arranged to convert rotational motion of the rotary drive shaft to repetitive reciprocal movements of the or each member, which, when the at least one blade is coupled to the or each member, cause corresponding movement of the at least one blade.
 14. The sawing device of claim 13, wherein an axis of the rotary drive shaft extends in or in the direction of the vicinity of a centre of mass of the sawing device.
 15. The sawing device of claim 13, further comprising, for the or each member, at least one blade carrying mechanism configured to attach to at least one blade, wherein movement of the reciprocating member causes corresponding movement of the blade carrying mechanism, thereby to cause corresponding movement of the at least one blade.
 16. The sawing device of claim 15, wherein the at least one blade is detachably attached to the at least one blade carrying mechanism.
 17. The sawing device of claim 13, comprising two, three, four, five or six blades each carried by a blade carrying mechanism, wherein the blades are arranged for simultaneous repetitive reciprocating cutting action on the surface of an object to be cut.
 18. The sawing device of claim 17, wherein there are four blades and the blades are disposed in a generally rectangular or square formation thereby to produce a rectangular or square sawed-out portion.
 19. The sawing device of claim 17, wherein at least one blade carrying mechanism is configured so that a blade can be attached to a selected one of a plurality of places on at least one blade carrying mechanism, thereby to enable different shaped portions to be sawed out.
 20. The sawing device of claim 17, wherein each blade has respective first and second ends, the first end of each blade lying adjacent to the second end of the blade disposed next to it, whereupon in use the second end of each blade approaches the first end of the next adjacent blade, and the first end of each blade approaches the second end of the blade next to it in alternating sequence.
 21. (canceled)
 22. (canceled)
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled)
 25. (canceled)
 26. (canceled)
 27. (canceled)
 28. (canceled)
 29. (canceled)
 30. (canceled)
 31. (canceled)
 32. (canceled)
 33. (canceled)
 34. (canceled)
 35. The sawing device of claim 13, wherein the piece is mounted on a support so as to allow rotation of the piece about the central axis, and wherein the at least one member is also mounted on the support, the support being configured to restrict the movement of the or each member to a linear path which is at least in part lateral relative to the central axis of the piece, wherein the support has a slot therethrough; and further comprising a blade carrying mechanism arranged on said support means, wherein the support mechanism permits reciprocating movement of the blade carrying mechanism, wherein the blade carrying mechanism is arranged to attach to and carry a blade and transmit a corresponding reciprocating action from the or an associated one of the members to the blade through the slot.
 36. A saw blade configured to attach to a sawing device according to claim 16, wherein the or each blade comprises a body having a cutting edge and an attaching part for releasably engaging with a corresponding attaching arrangement of the blade carrying mechanism thereby to fixedly hold the blade in a sawing position.
 37. The saw blade of claim 36, wherein the attaching arrangement comprises an arm, wherein the attaching part includes a bulbous recess in the body of the blade for receiving a correspondingly shaped portion of the arm, wherein the attaching part and the attaching arrangement are fixedly engaged when the portion of the arm is engaged in the bulbous recess.
 38. The saw blade of claim 37, wherein the attaching part includes a pair of limbs configured to fit at least in part against respective opposing edges of the arm, and wherein the arm is resiliently flexible so as to be displaceable to allow the limbs to be inserted into a slot in the sawing device and to be located such that the attaching part and the attaching arrangement can engage, whereby the saw blade is in a fixedly secured in the sawing device. 